Important decisions on COVID-19 precautions in ARCHELON’s projects - July 2020
As you probably know, the projects have been running for almost a month now. The core teams have been busy monitoring and protecting nests. They have also practiced social distancing and set up new routines in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the camp sites. It is not easy, but it is worth it, because of the turtles and the people that care for them.
Now that Greece has opened up for people from many countries, we want to make sure that the teams will continue to remain safe from COVID-19 until the end of the projects. That is why we have come to take the following decision:
Everyone joining ARCHELON’s camps (whether from abroad or from Greece) will need to present a negative test performed within 72 hours prior to their arrival. The results of the test must be forwarded by e-mail to the responsible Project Officer beforehand. No one else can and will be admitted to the projects.
Furthermore, volunteers arriving in the camps will be asked to self -isolate for 7 days, using designated spaces in an extra careful way. Other team members will be taking care of their shopping, food needs, etc.
We understand that people from abroad may also be tested for the virus by the Greek authorities, but this is independent of our decision stated above.
The continuous changes in travel restrictions, the cancellation of many flights and the ever present possibility of new changes and local lockdowns within Greece, have been huge impediments in finalizing the participation of several volunteers in our projects.
We wish to thank all confirmed volunteers and pending applicants of all nationalities for your patience and persistence in joining ARCHELON during this strange summer. We know that all confirmed volunteers had to re-schedule at least once, and many of you two or three times. From now onwards rescheduling a confirmed participation will be possible only for cases that we ask you to, in order to avoid overcrowding in the camps. People due to come up to and including the 10th of July will receive specific guidance as a priority. Pending applications will be dealt with after the 15th of July.
Remember: one person could be enough to make the project close down and this is why having tested negative and keeping self-isolation of 7 days are crucial for the safe operation of the project.
We ask for your understanding for all changes, delays and cancelations caused already or impending. Thank you again and please stay safe.
Our volunteers from abroad join us right on time for the hatching season
ARCHELON’s Monitoring Supervisor talks about his role
RECENT NEWS
- OUR NEWS02/05/2024
Sea Turtle Festival for Kids 2024
Save the date! On Saturday 18 May at 11:00, the ARCHELON Rescue Centre opens its doors to welcome young and old sea turtle friends who want to celebrate, explore, learn, play and travel magically in the Mediterranean Sea. We are waiting for you to strengthen our message for a better and sustainable planet!
- OUR NEWS02/05/2024
A successful year for the International Sea Turtle Symposium
The International Sea Turtle Symposium concluded triumphantly this March in Pattaya, Thailand, with ARCHELON actively participating.
- OUR NEWS29/04/2024
A Morning Beach Patrol with ARCHELON
The camera lens of Stefanos and Maria of SteMajourneys caught a rare sight in the early morning: a Loggerhead sea turtle nesting! The volunteers in Chania took action right away to protect the nest.
- OUR NEWS26/04/2024
Protecting sea turtles in Rethymno- Our Ocean, an Ocean of Potential
The 9th International Conference "Our Ocean", which was held in Athens from April 15 to 17, was successfully completed. ARCHELON had the honor to actively take part in the conference and hosted a side event.
- OUR NEWS12/04/2024
Coordination for the protection of sea turtles in Rethymno: Local authorities and tourism businesses join forces
The meeting, which took place on April 5, 2024, in the building of the Regional Unit of Rethymno, touched upon key issues, such as the observance of conservation measures for the protection of the Loggerhead sea turtle. Given the tourist activity on the nesting beaches, the active participation of the tourism sector in the implementation of the measures is necessary.
- OUR NEWS10/04/2024
"Tourists and turtles?" The environmental awareness campaign of ARCHELON spreads to the nesting beaches of the Loggerhead sea turtle
After the pandemic, ARCHELON - the Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece - is once again mobilizing on the path to sustainable tourism. The aim of the new campaign is to provide information on the appropriate code of conduct for visitors to all nesting beaches, in cooperation with the tourism sector.
- OUR NEWS04/04/2024
LIFE MareNatura - The largest marine biodiversity program in Greece
- OUR NEWS03/04/2024
Citizens inform us of sea turtle strandings
ARCHELON started the effort to record the incidents of dead turtles washing up on the Greek shores in 1992. In recent years there has been an increase in these records which may be due to more of our fellow citizens reporting such incidents. Learn more…
- OUR NEWS19/03/2024
Contributing to international developments on sea turtle research and conservation
In the past, members of ARCHELON were actively involved in the elaboration of the Global Strategy for the Conservation of Marine Turtles, published in 1995, and nowadays three of our collaborators participate in the writing of the revised guidebook “Research and Management Techniques for the Conservation of Sea Turtles”.
- OUR NEWS08/03/2024
The Over & Above Awards for 2023
These are the ARCHELON Over & Above Awards for 2023.
- OUR NEWS04/03/2024
The moving experience of Frederique at the Rescue Centre
At ARCHELON, you'll have the opportunity to meet and work together with new people and form lasting friendships - a major benefit of volunteering.
- OUR NEWS29/02/2024
Presentation of ARCHELON 2023 Results: Here is some good news!
On Thursday February 15th, 2024, ARCHELON’s annual Presentation of Results took place downtown, at the Impact Hub Athens. When welcoming members, staff, collaborators, friends and volunteers, Daphne Mavrogiorgos, Director of ARCHELON, spoke about the multi-leveled action of ARCHELON during 2023.
- OUR NEWS02/02/2024
Sea turtles in the Greek wetlands of international importance
World Wetlands Day is celebrated every year on February 2. These vulnerable areas of the planet are a refuge for migratory birds and other wildlife species, including sea turtles. ARCHELON is present in wetlands that play an important role for sea turtles, such as the Amvrakikos Gulf.
- OUR NEWS24/01/2024
Why are ARCHELON’s projects international?
ARCHELON’s sea turtle conservation projects are organized with the valuable contribution of volunteers who come to Greece every year not just from Europe but from more distant places such as South Korea, Australia, and Colombia. Speaking English while carrying out fieldwork or public awareness activities as well as when interacting with each other in the campsites is essential to the projects.
- OUR NEWS17/01/2024
ARCHELON has been running a special hospital for sea turtles with tanks and impressive old train wagons for 30 years in Glyfada
Turtles with IV and bandages, rehabilitation and recovery tanks, special environmental enrichment equipment, recovery greenhouses, and… renovated train wagons! The hospital for injured and sick turtles that ARCHELON has set up in the 3rd marina of Glyfada, next to the sea, is certainly something out of the ordinary.